Ulverston: Bomb squad allow residents to return home

A total of 53 homes were evacuated on Steel Street, Ulverston

A suspicious item has been declared "safe" after being found in a house.

Residents of the 53 homes in the Steel Street area of Ulverston, which had been evacuated on Wednesday evening, are now permitted to return home.

Cumbria Constabulary said that their Explosive Ordnance Disposal team had carried out an assessment with a 328ft (100m) cordon in place around the area.

A 46-year-old man remains in custody while police will stay at the affected property.

Police said that enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

The item was discovered on Wednesday by police following concerns for the welfare of a male on Steel Street.

Westmorland and Furness Council opened a reception centre overnight at Ulverston leisure centre for those residents who had been evacuated from their homes, but they can now return to their properties.

Road open

North Lonsdale Road, which had been closed with a cordon in place, has now been reopened.

Supt Matt Pearman of Cumbria Constabulary said that the major incident had been "concluded" and thanked residents for their "patience".

He added: "We acknowledge the inconvenience it causes when you cannot stay in your own home, however our priority was and always will be the safety of all residents.

"I would like to thank the EOD for their thorough assessment and all the agencies involved in this response for the work they have done to support those affected."